The people of Indiana now have the ability to obtain and administer overdose intervention drugs.
Friday, Gov. Mike Pence signed SEA 406, which allows public access to Naloxone to save individuals who have overdosed on opioids, including heroin. Until Friday, only health professionals had the ability to administer this drug, according to a press release from Pence's office. The legislation passed with unanimous support in both the Indiana House and Senate.
“With the rise of heroin addiction across our state, this important legislation will make available overdose intervention treatments and will save lives in Indiana,” Pence said in the release. “Families, friends and loved ones struggling with the scourge of opioid addiction will now have access to life-saving medications that work immediately when administered and will help prevent the heartbreaking loss of life we hear about too often in the case of drug overdoses. This bill is about saving Hoosier lives, and I applaud the leadership of Sen. Jim Merritt who authored the bill and the bipartisan support of the Indiana General Assembly in bringing this legislation to my desk.”
Data suggests individuals whose lives are spared by overdose intervention drugs are more likely to seek treatment for their addiction, according to the release. This bill will be effective in saving Hoosier lives, said Jerome Adams, Commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health, in the release.
“Many overdoses happen in the presence of others, and readily available Naloxone is a proven method for bystanders and loved ones to provide rescue assistance,” Adams said. “While we diligently work to make headway on our state and nation’s opioid abuse epidemic, this bill will help keep Hoosiers alive in order to facilitate seeking treatment and again become healthy and productive members of society.”
Hannah Alani
